The goal of the Hawaii WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) program is to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work, and to support working beneficiaries to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Our Community Work Incentives Coordinators work with individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to provide in-depth counseling about benefits and the effect of work on those benefits.

Eligibility

WIPA services are available to individuals who are eligible for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits AND working, looking for work or thinking about returning to work.

You receive a Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit if you worked and paid into the Social Security system, and then developed a disability. You also receive SSDI if your parent or deceased spouse paid into Social Security and you receive a benefit based on your disability and their work record. You may also be eligible for WIPA services if you previously received an SSDI or SSI benefit that stopped due to your work activity, but now you receive Medicaid or Medicare based on that earlier benefit.

WIPA Services

The WIPA program provides beneficiaries with the following information and support services.

  • Information and Referral: Basic information in response to inquiries about all Federal & State benefits programs, and referral to government agencies & other community resources.
  • Problem Solving and Advocacy: Involves solving specific Federal and State benefit & work incentive issues & may include advocating on your behalf with other agencies.
  • Benefits Analysis and Advisement: An assessment of real or potential effects of employment or similar changes that will impact your overall financial wellbeing and the effects of employment on benefits. In addition, the analysis informs beneficiaries of various work incentives and supports available & the effect of using those services and supports to achieve your work goal.
  • Work Incentives Planning: Developing a plan to achieve your employment goal with you.
  • Benefits Management: Teaching you when and how to report changes to your earnings or situation, what records to keep, and what to expect as your earnings increase.

Contact Ticket to Work Helpline

For general information about Social Security’s the Ticket to Work and about Social Security work incentives, you can contact the Social Security Ticket to Work Helpline using the information below.

Call 1-866-968-7842 (V)
866-833-2967 (TTY)
M-F 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST
Or you can visit the choosework.ssa.gov or SocialSecurity.gov/work websites.

Contact Hawaii WIPA

If you are working, looking for work, or considering an employment decision and need individualized assistance, contact Hawaii WIPA using the information below.

Hawaii WIPA
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Center on Disability Studies
1410 Lower Campus Road, Building 171F
Honolulu, HI 96822

Phone: (808) 956-9800
Toll-Free: (844) 499-3594
Fax: (808) 956-9530
Hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM HST
Email: [email protected]

This document is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication.